Speech #1010042339

But in the activity of legislating we come to. as I said earlier. the appropriate time to compromise an issue without compromising ones self. We did that In the bill that was presented to the Judiciary Committee. The amendment of Senator HELMS would hold the overall level of familybased Immigration steady at current levels and increase immigration in the independent category. We are familiar with that. Senator KENNEDY has outlined well how far we have all come In our understanding of the legal immigration reform. While preserving most of the visas in our new point system category. Senator HELMS would substantially increase the number of visas in the employersponsored category of visa. In fact. his amendment would increase the present third and sixth preferences in excess of 35.000 numbers. I believe one of the overall objectives of legal immigration reform is to try to preserve the present level of familybased immigration and increase the number of immigrants who would come here because they have these certain skills and qualities that would serve us well. That is indeed in our national interest. I believe Senator HELMS proposal is a good way to achieve just that. But when this bill. S. 358. passed the Senate Judiciary Committee I very reluctantly and yet very vividly and very much aware entered into a compromise that increased the overall number of visas in the family system without reallocating visas to the closest family member. In my additional views to the committee report I said this: "The fifth preference should be deemphasized so that we may give proper priority to closer family members. skilled workers and other immigrants that our labor market needs. I deeply regret that the committee bill does not recognize this principle." I am very aware that the fifth preference was eliminated right here on this floor twice on previous occasions. And I deeply feel that it is something that should be revisited. and yet part of my accommodation and compromise would be that we would retain the fifth preference exactly as it is.